Culture Shift

I said to this little guy, "Que es?" (What is it) and in the cutest little voice responds, "Libro de Vida" (Book of Life)

What do you call it when you are sitting in a very Latin Church service in Honduras but your mind is thousands of miles away thinking about the very African service you were in just a few weeks before? Or you are ordering food for the group in Spanish but a few words of French keep popping out of your mouth because your next French speaking destination is already in your thoughts. Then you come back to America and wonder, “What side of the road should I be driving on?”, “Where is my plug converter?” or you have a moment of panic because you can’t find your passport only to realize you no longer need these things and you’d better be on the right or else. It’s not really culture shock because all these places are familiar but the more I think about it I realize it’s more of a culture shift. Traveling from one place to another can be exciting but it also carries with it constant change, adjustments, language and protocols.

I returned from a three-month stay in South Africa the end of May, and you know, some places just make such an indelible mark on your life that take a while to readjust. I can’t complain since I chose this life, but there are days that make one wonder, where I am I today? I recently spent 10-days in Honduras with a large team and ministry was great but the whole time I could not shake Africa from my very being. Which leads me to wonder what is it that has captured me so? It’s true; nine of the last 18-months have been spent in Southern African countries. Is it the relationships? The beauty in the landscape and wildlife? The freedom and ease in bringing the gospel? I don’t know. But what I do know is that I am thankful for these opportunities and while it isn’t always easy especially in the transition times between culture shifts it is a road that I’ve been called to travel. I’m also thankful that I have supporters like you that travel with me in your prayers, giving and words of encouragement…keep them coming.

This image from a primary school in CapeTown South Africa gets me everytime. The school only went up to 3rd grade but as the principal told us the young ones knew first-hand about violence and rape and drugs already. This is why I continue...to break the cycle, to make a differance.

Next: Onto Pignon, Haiti July 21-Aug 6th

More Photos @: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimart4ch/ and http://www.facebook.com/kimart4ch